Scandinavia - Money Laundering: Why Scandinavian Banks’ Clean Reputations Are Threatened by Dirty Money - by Jack Ewing

 Scandinavia has long had a reputation as one of the most progressive regions in the world, known for generous parental leaves, bicycle superhighways and Abba.

So it has been a shock to see Scandinavian banks mired in a growing money laundering scandal, accused of helping Russian oligarchs, corrupt politicians and organized crime lords send hundreds of billions of ill-gotten dollars to offshore tax havens.

Danske Bank, the largest bank in Denmark, was caught first for suspicious activities at its subsidiary in Estonia and, in the past couple weeks, the scandal has spread to Swedbank and its subsidiaries in the Baltics. Swedbank’s chairman, Lars Idermark, resigned Friday, saying that the media storm surrounding the money laundering allegations was a distraction from his day job as chief executive of a forest products company.

Mr. Idermark’s exit came less than a week after the bank fired its chief executive, Birgitte Bonnesen, who had previously supervised Swedbank’s operations in the Baltic countries.

Read more: Why Scandinavian Banks’ Clean Reputations Are Threatened by Dirty Money - The New York Times

EU Trash: Why do Scandinavians generate more waste than other Europeans? - by Marta Rodriguez Martinez

While Denmark is known as a European leader in green energy — almost 15% of its total electricity comes from biodegradable waste — the Scandinavian country has slipped under the radar as also being Europe’s biggest producer of municipal waste per person.

According to data published by Eurostat, Danes produced the most kilos of waste per capita in 2016, with 777 kilos per person, while Romanians produced the least amount of municipal waste with 261 kilos per person.

After Denmark, Norway is the second country that produces the most municipal waste with 754 kilos per person, then Switzerland (720 kilos per person), followed by Iceland (656 kilos per person).

The European average generates 480 kilos of waste, an amount best met by Greece (497 kilos per person), Italy (495 kilos per person), and the United Kingdom (495 kilos per person). The Spanish are slightly below the average with 443 kilos per capita.

Read more: EU TRash: Why do Scandinavians generate more waste than other Europeans? | Euronews

Sweden: Wish you were here: Summer in Sweden is a special time to visit Scandinavia - by Sarah Turnerby

Sweden is the land of the midnight sun and in June those wonderful twilight evenings stretch out for untold fun.

It’s a special time to visit Scandinavia – with midsummer parties and beach bonfires to enjoy.

One of the largest countries in Europe, there’s plenty to explore – and with a bit of ingenuity, you can keep costs down.

There are plenty of no-frills flights so it’s easy to get there too.

Skane is the part of Sweden closest to Denmark and it’s a hugely popular destination for foodies.
This organic farm has delicious local produce – and bicycles to borrow to ensure you work up an appetite with a beach close by.

Sweden’s second city, Gothenburg, also has anarchipelago and the island of Vrango has a new guest house this year – and you’ll get to stay in boathouses overlooking the water.

Hot tubs,renting kayaks and fishing tours are also on the menu. The seafood is great.

Read more: Wish you were here: Summer in Sweden is a special time to visit Scandinavia - Mirror Online

Weather: Fierce Storm Lashes Europe; at Least 3 Dead

Britain braced for severe flooding and the worst tidal surge in 60 years after a powerful storm with hurricane-force gusts hit the country Thursday and began moving across Europe.

The storm prompted evacuations, snarled transport and left tens of thousands of homes without electricity. At least three people died in accidents linked to the weather.

About 10,000 homes along the eastern English coast were evacuated after Britain's Environment Agency warned the country could face its worst tidal surge in 60 years. The Thames Barrier — a series of huge metal plates that can be raised across the entire river — was being closed late Thursday to protect London from the surge.

Tidal floods — caused as the storm drives huge amounts of seawater toward the land — were expected in Britain, Germany and Scandinavia, together with freezing high winds from Greenland.

The Environment Agency put out more than 50 flood warnings for different parts of the U.K., with the risk of flooding stretching into Friday morning.

Read more: Fierce Storm Lashes Europe; at Least 3 Dead - ABC News